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A browser-based security camera field of view calculator tool. No data sent to server.

📘 How to Use

  1. Select the camera's sensor size and lens focal length
  2. Set the distance from the camera to the area you want to monitor
  3. Check the calculated viewing angles and coverage dimensions in the results and diagram

Security Camera Field of View Calculator

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info Angle Guide
  • 2.8mm (90°+): Ultra wide. Ideal for entrances.
  • 3.6mm (70°+): Wide. Standard lens.
  • 6.0mm+ (<50°): Telephoto. For specific spots.
warning Disclaimer

*Actual range may vary due to lens distortion. Use as a reference.

Horizontal Angle
--°
Vertical Angle
--°
Area Width
--
Area Height
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Camera Field of View Simulation Sensor: -- | Focal: -- | Dist: -- Angle: -- Width: --

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Article

CCTV Field of View Calculator｜Simulate Camera Angle & Coverage

This online tool helps you calculate and visualize the field of view (FoV) and coverage area of a security camera. Perfect for homeowners, installers, and security professionals planning a CCTV system, it allows you to simulate how different lenses and camera placements will affect what you can see before you buy or install.

💡 Tool Overview

  • Interactive Simulation: Instantly see how changes to sensor size, focal length, and distance to the subject impact your camera's view in real-time.
  • Visual Top-Down Diagram: Understand the camera's coverage area intuitively with a clear, top-down schematic showing the viewing angle, distance, and the width of the captured scene.
  • Precise Calculations: Get accurate values for the horizontal and vertical viewing angles (in degrees), as well as the width and height of the coverage area at a specific distance.
  • Export Your Plan: Download the simulation diagram as a PNG image to include in installation plans, share with clients, or keep for your records.

🧐 Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is "Field of View" (FoV)?

A. Field of View, also known as the viewing angle, describes the extent of the observable area a camera can see, measured in degrees. It's typically broken down into a Horizontal FoV (how wide the view is) and a Vertical FoV (how tall the view is). A wider FoV captures more of the scene, while a narrower FoV focuses on a smaller area in greater detail.

Q. How does focal length affect the field of view?

A. Focal length has an inverse relationship with the field of view. A shorter focal length (e.g., 2.8mm) results in a wider field of view, capturing a broad area, which is ideal for general surveillance. A longer focal length (e.g., 12mm) provides a narrower, "telephoto" view, allowing you to see objects farther away more clearly but sacrificing peripheral vision.

📚 A Quick Guide to Common Lens Sizes

Choosing the right lens is crucial for effective surveillance. The focal length, measured in millimeters (mm), determines the viewing angle and zoom level. Here's a quick guide based on common security camera lenses:

  • 2.8mm (approx. 90° and wider): Ultra-Wide Angle. This lens is best for covering a whole room from a corner, a wide front porch, or a small backyard. It captures the largest possible area but may create a "fisheye" effect (distortion) at the edges.

  • 3.6mm (approx. 70° - 90°): Wide Angle. This is a very common, standard lens for many dome and bullet cameras. It offers a good balance between a wide coverage area and object detail, making it versatile for monitoring rooms, driveways, or medium-sized outdoor spaces.

  • 6.0mm and up (approx. 50° and narrower): Telephoto/Narrow Angle. These lenses are used when you need to monitor a specific point of interest from a distance. They are ideal for focusing on a gate at the end of a long driveway, a specific parking spot, or a cash register in a large store. You trade a wide view for enhanced detail on a distant subject.

Disclaimer: The actual coverage area may vary slightly from the calculated values due to lens distortion and specific camera housing designs. Please use this tool as a reliable reference for planning purposes.